Stamp-affixing device.



No. 635,203. 7 Patented Oct. l7, I899. c. A. SUNDSTRDM.

STAMP AFFIXING DEVICE.

(Application filed July 17, 1899.)

(No Model.)

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ATENT STAlVl P-AFFIXING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,203, dated October 17, 1899.

Application filed July-17, 1'899.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that'l, CARL ALFRED SUND- STROM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Postage Stamp-Affixing Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for affixing postage-stamps to en velops and comprises in its structure a vertically-reciprocatingstampreceptacle for containing the stamps and a moistening-arm operated by the movement of the stamp-receptacle for moistening the envelop to which a stamp is to be affixed.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of such device which shall possess superior advantages with respect to efficiency in use.

The invention consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end elevation of a postage-stamp-afiixing device constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the same. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views of cross-head and stampreceptacle. Fig. 6 is a detail bottom view of the stamp-receptacle.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates the sides of the device, consisting of two approximately triangular plates, connected together at the upper ends by a cross-plate 2, having the ends turned down-' wardly at right angles and secured to said sides by screws 3. Said cross-plateis formed with a central boss 4, through which passes a vertically-reciprocating tubular plunger-rod 5, provided with a handle 6. Located in this tubular rod is a coiled spring 7, the ends of which are confined between the said handle and a screw or pin 8, passing through the said boss. Said rod is formed with opposite vertical slots 9, in which the said screw or pin works as the rod is reciprocated.

The numeral 10 designates arectangular vertically-movable cross-head, through which the lower end of the plunger rod loosely passes. Confined between this cross-head 'which is closed by a screw-cap 33.

Serial No. 724,154. (No model.)

and a collar 12, secured to the plunger-rod, is a coiled spring 13. The said cross-head on its under side is formed with grooves 14, forming longitudinal shoulders 14;. The numeral 15 designates a stamp receptacle made slightly flaring, but otherwise is I approximately of the size and shape of an ordinary postage-stamp. The upper ends of the long sides of this receptacle are bent inwardly at an angle, forming flanges 16, which engage with said grooves and hold the receptacle suspended from the cross-head. The said receptacle is engaged with the cross-head by sliding the flanges 16 on the shoulders formed by the grooves. A turn-button 17, pivoted to the cross-head, serves to hold the receptacle in place when engaged with the cross-head. At the lower end of the plunger-rod, below the cross-head, is secured a plunger 18. Se-

cured to or formed with said cross-head are two opposite central trunnions 19, which work in vertical slots 20 in the said sides 1. At one end said cross-head is also formed with trunnions 21, which work-in similar vertical slots 23 in said sides. Pivotally connected with said slots 21 are downwardly-extending bars 24', the lower ends of which are pivotally connected with moistener-arms 25 by headed pins 26, which pass through and work in curved slots 27 in the sides 1. The upper ends of said moistener-arlns are provided with headed pins 28, which work in opposite short vertical slots 29 in the sides of the device. The lower ends of said moistener-arms are connected together by a metal springplate bent over into approximately cylindrical form, forming longitudinal flanges 30, be-

tween which is clamped a rectangular strip of felt or other absorbent material 31, one end of which projects beyond said flanges.-

Secured to the sides 1 is a rectangular water-tank 32, provided with a filling-opening Located in this tank is a strip of felt or other absorbent material 34, one end of which extends through an opening in the upper part of the tank and lies in the path of the felt carried by the bent spring-plate.

Formed integral with the lower end of the stamp-receptacle are opposite integral triangular tongues 85, bent inwardly ata right angle and which serve to hold the stamps in the receptacle.

The numeral 36 designates a transverse rod for holding and bracing the sides 1.

The operation is as follows: The stamp-receptacle is filled with postage-stan1ps, with the gummed sides down, and the water-tank filled with water. The receptacle is then connected with the cross-head by slipping the flanges thereof on the shoulders formed by the grooves in the cross-head and the turnbutton then operated to hold said receptacle in place. By now depressing the plungerrod by means of the handle the collar 12 and coiled spring 13 will force the cross-head downwardly, the trunnions working in the vertical slots of the sides 1 and guiding the cross-head in its movement. At the same time the bars 24 will be forced downward, and the headed pins thereof working in the curved slots of the sides 1 will force the-moistener-arms downwardly and also turning them in the arc of a circle, so that the felt strip carried thereby will strike the projecting end of the felt located in the water-tank. As said moistener-arms are thus operated the felt connected therewith will moisten an envelop upon which the device rests at the place where the stamp is to be affixed. The stampreceptacle will continue its downward movement until the lower end thereof rests on the envelop, when further pressure on the handle will force the plunger at the lower end of the plunger-rod upon the stamps in the receptacle and cause the lower stamp of the series to be pressed upon and afiixed to the envelop.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a postage-stamp-aifixing device, the combination with the sides formed with opposite curved slots and with short vertical slots, the vertically-movable spring-actuated plunger-rod, the vertically-movable crosshead through which the lower end of said rod loosely passes, the plunger secured to the lower end of said rod, the collar fixed to said rod and the coiled springinterposed between said cross-head and collar, of the stamp-receptacle removably connected with said crosshead, the bars pivotally connected therewith, the moistener-arms, the pivot-pins at the upper ends thereof working in said vertical slots, the pins at the lower ends of said arms working in said curved slots and pivotally connecting said arms and bars, the strip of absorbent material carried by said arms, and the water-tank provided with a strip of absorbent material projecting therethrough, substantially as described.

2. In a postage-stamp-affixing device, the combination with the sides formed with opposite curved slots and with short vertical slots, the spring-actuated plunger-rod, the cross-head through which the lower end of said rod loosely passes, the plunger secured to the lower end of said rod, the coiled spring and the collar on said rod between which and said cross-head said springis confined, of the stamp-receptacle detachably connected with said cross-head, the bars pivotally connected therewith, the moistener-arms, the pins at the upper ends thereof working in said vertical slots, the pins working in said curved slots and pivotally connecting said bars and arms, the bent plate connecting the lower ends of said arms, the strip of absorbent material clamped between the ends of said plate, the water-tank and the strip of absorbent material located therein with one end projecting therethrough, substantially as described.

3. In a device for aflixing postage-stamps, the combination with the sides formed with opposite curved slots, opposite short vertical slots and opposite vertical long slots, the vertically-movable spring-actuated plunger-rod, the cross-head through which the lower end of said rod loosely passes, the'plunger secured to the lower end of said rod, the collar fixed to said rod and the coiled spring confined between said collar and cross-head,of the stampreceptacle detachably connected with said cross-head, the trunnions working in said long slots, the bars pivotally connected with the said cross-head,the moistener-arms,the pivotpins at the upperends thereof workingin said short slots, the pins working in said curved slots and'pivotally connecting said bars and arms, the absorbentstrip carried by said arms, the water-tank, and the strip of absorbent material located therein with one end projecting therethrough, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CARL A. SUNDSTROM.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM GRANLUNI), CHAS. H. SALMOUJE. 

